The 1971 Chronicles: The State of the Stateless Biharis

This is the second post in a series on the 1971 War, also known as the Liberation War of Bangladesh. The series aims to be an honest portrayal of both sides of the war and its aftermath. The first article delved into my recent experience at the Liberation War Museum in Dhaka. Below, I discuss the state of about 300,000 stateless people currently residing in Bangladesh:

The question of identity has been pivotal in my journey to who I am today. As a child, I would tell other kids in school that I was Pakistani. But given that my mother was Bangladeshi and I was also very close to her family, my words sometimes felt hollow. Was I abandoning one heritage by wholeheartedly embracing another? Did being the product of both make me a little less of either?

Ironically, being two halves actually made me whole. As I grew older, my identity gave me a sense of purpose, a stronger sense of self. It’s even why I have a master’s degree in Conflict Resolution, or why I can be diplomatic to a fault. Today, I not only tell people I’m Pakistani, I wear it on my sleeve. But I never forget my Bangladeshi heritage. I learned, over the years, that neither side was in conflict with the other unless I made it that way.

In a weird way, my own reconciliation allowed me to connect to the issue of the Biharis, an Urdu-speaking group who have been living in refugee camps in Bangladesh for about 40 years, since the end of the 1971 War. Often referred to today as the “stateless” people or the “stranded Pakistanis,” the Biharis moved to [what was then] East Pakistan from India during Partition in 1947. However, the Urdu-speaking community did not assimilate very well into Bengali society, and remained a distinct cultural-linguistic group. This fostered further resentment, particularly since language was and still is such a strong part of the Bengali collective.

According to VOA, the Biharis “generally identified with West Pakistani society and associated themselves with the West Pakistani governing elite.” A 2008 report by Minority Groups Internationalnoted,

The Urdu-speaking Biharis became increasingly unpopular and were seen by Bengalis as symbols of West Pakistani domination, which created a climate of hostility against Biharis. In the December 1970 elections most Biharis supported the pro-Pakistan Muslim League rather than the Awami League, which was largely a Bengali nationalist movement.

Not surprisingly, the Bihari community also sided with West Pakistan during the 1971 War. At the end of the conflict, the surviving Biharis were seen as Pakistani collaborators, though sources are slightly ambiguous on how they were treated in the aftermath. According to a BBC documentary they faced “a wave of nationalist anger,” dubbed by a Daily Star article as the “wrath of newly liberated Bangalees.” The aforementioned Minority Groups International brief reported, “several thousand Biharis were arrested as alleged collaborators, and there were many cases of retaliation against Biharis.”

What we do know is that the Biharis who were left in Bangladesh were pushed into camps, though many asked to be repatriated to Pakistan (approximately 539,669, according to those registered with the International Red Cross in 1973). According to VOA, “In the 1973 New Delhi Agreement, Pakistan agreed to receive a sizable number of Biharis [250,000] in exchange for the return of Bengalis living in Pakistan. But the exchange soon came to a halt.” According to a BBC documentary on the Biharis, Pakistan did take in 130,000 Biharis but stopped in 1992.

Today, there are around 250,000 to 300,000 Biharis remaining in Bangladesh. Of this number, 160,000 are still living in camps, noted UNHCR, while 50,000 – 52,000 are in camps in Dhaka. According to the 2008 survey, around 20,000 to 25,000 live in the largest camp, Geneva Camp, a place where the alleyways are narrow and dirty, walls are thin, and living conditions are poor and overcrowded. Less than 10% of children from these camps go to primary school, noted the BBC, while only 2% receive a secondary education.

What is interesting today is not just the number of Biharis that still call themselves Pakistani. It’s the division that is occurring between the older generation who are still clinging to the past, waiting for Pakistan to take them in, and a growing younger generation who are ready to claim Bangladesh as their home. An old man told the BBC, “The Pakistani government does nothing for us. They’ve abandoned us. They’re in their own country. We are Pakistani but have ruined ourselves by thinking of Pakistan.” A younger man added, “For thirty years, they’ve been saying Pakistan, Pakistan, Pakistan. Now they have become old.”

While many still insist on speaking Urdu, a growing number of younger Biharis are speaking Bengali, attempting to assimilate into Bangladeshi society. This process has not been entirely seamless, given that the community has not had citizenship (of any country) until recently. In 2001, a group of young men, including Khalid Hussein, President of the Association of Young Generation of Urdu-Speaking Community (AYGUSC) and Assistant Coordinator of the NGO, Al-Falah Bangladesh, campaigned that they were Bangladeshi citizens (based on a 1972 law that anyone whose male ancestors lived in Bangladeshi since 1971 was a citizen) and had the right to vote. The Supreme Court ruled in their favor, and in May 2008, the government extended the verdict to all Biharis in the country, a major victory for many who had been stateless and hence powerless.

The Bangladeshi 2008 elections was therefore not just the first time the country was voting in seven years, it was the first time the Biharis were voting in Bangladesh – ever. The community’s political party of choice? The ultra-nationalist Awami League.

Despite these recent victories, many Biharis continue to live in inhumane conditions in camps and still reportedly face discrimination. Khalid Hussein, who is from Geneva Camp, wrote, “Living conditions remain overcrowded, with five to 15 people sharing one or two rooms. The threat of eviction and the need for education, skills training and employment are our chief concerns.”

There are also numerous Biharis who reject these changes and still want to return to Pakistan. Which begs the question – should Pakistan fulfill their nearly 40 year old promise and repatriate this community, many who have endured squalid conditions since the war but still wave their Pakistani flags loyally?

While the ethical answer is yes, the sad reality is that Pakistan cannot even take care of its citizens within its borders properly. Food prices are high, power shortages are abundant, violence is continuing, and numbers of people are still displaced inside the country. This by no means absolves Pakistan from blame or responsibility. In fact, we should be ashamed of ourselves. But, in some ways the Biharis in Bangladesh are better off in a country that is at least willing to offer them an identity, a place to belong. Turning that sense of belonging into one of ownership will be far more complicated, but is a process that can only start with proper rehabilitation.

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28 Responses

There is a photographic contest to highlight the situation of the urdu-speakers in Bangladesh. The so-called “biharis” had their citizenship affirmed two years ago but many problems remain. This contest aims to refocus attention on that landmark decision.

It’s an interesting question you pose at the end. It’s a hard one to answer. As far as promises go, I suppose a country should keep its promises. But if the result of a past promise is obsolete or undesirable than the question becomes obsolete. But in this case it seems to be neither.

Pakistan has trouble providing for its citizens in any case as you mentioned, but I’m sure the bihari’s are aware of that. They probably know that they will not be heading to a first world country, but maybe they are under the perception that it is better than living in a refugee camp (for those who are living in refugee camps). This perception, if it is what they think, would probably be incorrect. They will still have to be integrated into society in Pakistan in one way or another and the Pakistani government is likely to keep that low on their list of priorities. They will have to struggle here as well, but that brings me to my next point about identity.

As far as Bangladesh ‘offering’ them an identity, I don’t think it was offered to them, but rather they earned it and took it, as evidenced by the court case you mentioned. If they are ‘handed’ citizenship and rights in Pakistan it may give them a sense of ownership in Pakistan, whereas in Bangladesh it will have to be something that is learned and forced through generations. If biharis in Bangladesh, despite being aware of what they will have to face in Pakistan, still want to come to Pakistan then the government should oblige and help them repatriate. And then their struggle for a prosperous and dignified life is their own to take ownership of, and in an ideal situation, with nudge from the government.

It reminds me a bit of the Afghanis who had been living in refugee camps in Pakistan for about two decades. It is a completely different situation historically, but those Afghans who didn’t want to go back to Afghanistan, share a common story with the younger generation of biharis who have tried to assimilate into Bangladeshi society because it’s all they know.

There seems to be no simple or correct answer to this dilemma. Interesting situation there. It seems to me that they are not united in what they want and have little means to find out what they will face if they decide to leave bangladesh.

Thanks for your comment. I think another important issue, which my sister told me to reiterate, is that by Pakistan not “offering” the Biharis citizenship, they actually don’t recognize them as Pakistanis. It’s a fairly simple but important point, and it’s also very telling of how many who continue to pledge allegiance to Pakistan find themselves belonging nowhere.

There have been numerous overtures by successive regimes in Pakistan about the Bihari plight, but it generally doesn’t go much further than that.

In 2003, the Minorities at Risk Project wrote, “The last time the Biharis were repatriated to Pakistan was in 1993 when Prime Minister Sharif accepted 321 people. The issue was again put on the backburner when a military coup in Pakistan led to General Musharraf taking over in October 1999.”

When Musharraf visited Bangladesh in 2002, he reportedly said that while he had every sympathy for the plight of the Biharis, he said Pakistan was in no position to absorb a large number of refugees.

By ‘offer’ them citizenship, what did she mean? Offer refugees of and in another country citizenship? I don’t think that the Pakistani government can just simply offer people in another country citizenship. That has many diplomatic implications, complications and potential conflicts. If they are being repatriated, and then offered citizenship once they land in Pakistan then that makes sense. The offer or help in repatriation makes more sense than to offer people in another country citizenship while they are still in that country. I would assume assistance in repatriation is in itself an offer of citizenship without stepping on diplomatic fault lines.

If you mean Bihari’s who have come back to Pakistan and are not offered citizenship when they come back, then that is a major issue.

It’s not that Pakistan can’t though, it’s that they no longer will. We have in the past repatriated Biharis and promised in 1973 to take in 250,000, hence giving (or offering) them Pakistani citizenship. It’s fair to say that pre-1971, everyone in East & West Pakistan had “Pakistani” citizenship, but when the two countries separated, the issue of citizenship and ultimately repatriation began.

I guess it’s semantics, but you make a fair point.

That being said, I’ll point to Ummid2010’s comment below, that most Biharis today favor reintegrating into Bangladesh, despite members of the older generation refusing to let go of the dream of returning to Pakistan. I don’t think it’s realistic to assume that Pakistan should take in the Biharis who feel that way, but that doesn’t absolve us from blame in the situation. The most realistic thing I suppose is to look forward, and for the Bangladeshi government to rehabilitate and engage those still living in the camps and terrible conditions.

Studies suggest most biharis want to stay in Bangldesh. This is not to deny the validity of the sentiments of those whose families have remained divided for almost four decades. Here are some studies:

In a 1999 survey by the Refugee and Migratory Movements Research Unit, 86.4 percent said they would opt for Bangladeshi citizenship.
In a 2005 Survey by Al-Falah Bangladesh, 85 percent preferred to live in Bangladesh. 82 percent perceived themselves as Bangladeshis.
The ongoing “Dhaka Initiative” survey suggests that more than 90 percent of the “Biharis” favour Bangladeshi reintegration
In a 2005 consultation meeting on the “Urdu speaking communitgy’s own perception about their future in Bangladesh” most of the speakers from 11 Bihari organisations said that a large or overwhelming majority of the settlement occupants considered themselves to be Bangladeshis and wanted rehabilitation with dignity.

In 2010, what is critical is the necessity to claim effective citizenship rights and not entertain some notion of going somewhere else.

This is a really awesome post! As a Bangladeshi living abroad all my life, most of the stories I’d hear about the war from my family and relatives were pretty much one sided. As a result, I dont get to hear about realities such as this. So I really appreciate that I learned about this through your post.

The more I think about it, the more this dilemma saddens me. The quote from your post by the younger man “For thirty years, they’ve been saying Pakistan, Pakistan, Pakistan. Now they have become old” really struck me.

Should the older generation simply forget the idea of going back and embrace their current reality and make the best of it? The younger generation seems to be more adaptive to their environment and soon they will become the “old generation.”

I have visited these camps countless times and have been saddened each time by the plight of the Bihari people. However, I am so full of admiration for those amongst them who chose to shun politics and make full use of their talents. The Biharis are some of the most keen artisans. They have set up, very close to the camps, factories that produce some of the most beautiful silk sarees. I have even met Indian saree designers who come with their designs and get them made in Dhaka by these artisans. The sarees produced are then taken back and sold in India as “Indian” Banarasees. Why? First because Banglaeshi silk quality compares better to the Indian and second BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, the artistry and aesthetic sense of the Bihari artisan stand supreme.

A shame that with so much to give, the Biharis still go unrecognized by most.

Interesting blog. If Pakistan cannot repatriate the Bihari community it can remunerate the Bangladesh government to help absorb the stateless in to the mainstream. Bangladesh is among the least developed countries in the region and the least Pakistan can do to help is to write a check. It may not fully compensate for their suffering but some help is better than nothing.

Thanks Nikhil! I definitely agree with you in theory, but I think because of how politicized the issue of the Biharis has become in Pakistan, I don’t know how realistic it is, given that if Pakistan gives a check they’d essentially be assuming some sort of responsibility after denying they had any for years.

“The apartments would be built by Dhaka City Corporation (DCC) at a cost of Tk 1259.62 crore in the existing camp area for better rehabilitation of the god-forsaken people who have now been granted citizenship of Bangladesh by a High Court ruling given in 2008, ending long-lasting arguments over their status.”

Great post, Kalsoom. Sounds like a fairly frustrating situation. Pakistan compensate the refugees if they can no longer keep their promise of repatriation. Of course, Pakistan has more pressing internal issues that require resources. Perhaps, finding a way to help facilitate the Bihari integration into Bangladeshi society could be a compromise.

The new generation of Biharis are the ones who can help in bringing about a change in their ‘refugee’ status despite many constraints. They have chosen to learn the language and assimilate into the Bengali society. Although, it still remains a major issue for them to get jobs they have successfully gone into their own businesses. They have realised that after two generations they probably have closer cultural and economic ties with the Bangladeshi community than they do with Pakistan. However, perhaps the most crucial determining factor in Bihari development will be the Bangladeshi society’s need for the skills acquired by the Biharis under Pakistani rule and the natural aptitudes of this community which make good mechanics or artisans. The Government (or NGOs) needs to take advantage of their expertise and in turn help in the assimilation process, by creating craft villages, etc. In the end, the members of the Bihari community are the final arbiter of their future. They have to decide that this is their country and go forth aggressively to carve out a niche for them.

Whatever happened in 1971 was unfortunate. The need of the hour is that these people are living without recognition for 40 years now. Generations have gone but they still lack identity. E They are a minority group and hence more vulnerable. The responsible government forces need to address this issue on social and human grounds soon.

Thank you very much for this thought-provoking post. To answer one of your questions (that has also been adressed by a few others too), I would like to ask a question. In a situation where you have a very poor family who are not able to provide for you, if you are given the option to live with your aunt just a touch more comfortably, will you leave your parents and siblings for just a bit more comfort?

I don’t think so, that’s exactly why the Biharis want to return to Pakistan, not because they think anything would be better than the refugee camps. But because they consider Pakistan as their real family and Bangladesh as just a neighbor. This also makes it difficult for Bangladesh and Bangladeshis to accept the Biharis, especially when the memory of the torchur Bangladeshis endured from Pakistani army is still there.

The proposed exchange would have been one of the greatest humanitarian act. I am not sure why United Nation did not have something like this exchange in their agenda. I know Biharis who lived in a poor condition in Bangladesh. I also know quite a few Bangladeshis who grew up in a refugee camp in Pakistan. Their situation was no better. They grew up to be psychologically damaged, never able to trust others or themselves.

After a couple of generations, it might be too late for the exchange, especially when the younger generations started assimilating. But, it is certainly worth looking back and thinking about.

Another question I have for you. Just for background, I live in the US and my parents are from Bangladesh. I am aware of the exchange that took place in the early 90s. In fact, one of my friends family in Bangladesh were moving back to Pakistan. In mid 90s, I read multiple newspaper articles that Pakistan were killing a lot of Biharis who were migrating from Bangladesh. Are you aware of this incident? If so, can you let us know a bit more on this. I never heard back from her.

I’ll refer back to Ummid2010’s comment, which provided some great insight into Bihari sentiment in terms of Bangladesh versus Pakistan. “In a 2005 Survey by Al-Falah Bangladesh, 85 percent preferred to live in Bangladesh. 82 percent perceived themselves as Bangladeshis.”

The question is, of course, what to do with the other 18%, who still want to be repatriated to Pakistan, many of whom are part of that older generation. And it’s a tricky question, I think. From a Pakistani perspective, we barely have the resources to resettle IDPs, and the government has done a questionable job at even doing that. And if we do repatriate these Biharis, where will they go exactly? What will they do? The Pakistani government doesn’t call them Pakistani, they’ve never been there, etc.

While I understand your point completely and fully agree with your contention that Pakistan is their family, while Bangladesh is their neighbor, I find the reality a little problematic. Not that it can’t happen, but given past policies of Pakistani regimes, I see it as unlikely unfortunately.

In terms of your last question, I actually don’t know the answer but I can dig around and try and find out for you🙂. Thanks again!!

Thank you for sharing this beautifully written piece with us Kalsoom. I’m ashamed to say that my knowledge of the Liberation War primarily consisted of the immediate conflict between the East and West Pakistanis, and I had little or know knowledge of the plight of the Biharis. I enjoyed reading your first piece very much, and appreciate that you’ve chosen to bring to light thr many dimensions of survival, plight, displacement, and victory that define the Liberation War.

I agree with Nasreen’s comment in that both government and non government based organizations need to take advantage of the creative expertise and skill set that the Bihari community boast by utilizing their respective talents. This is their side of the assimmilation coin. The other side belongs to the Bihari community who, as Nasreen says, are the final arbiter of their future. Of course it’s difficult to ask someone to turn lemons into lemonade when you’re sitting in a refugee camp, but conviction of heart and the innate desire to live a life that you feel is just can take you to great heights. The Bangladeshi people should know and understand this desire more than anybody.

I love how supportive my family has been with this series! I am a lucky, lucky girl.🙂

My mom has been to the camps numerous times because when she used to design clothes, the best embroiderers were all there. So, in reference to the very important point you and Nasreen made, about utilizing the Biharis’ creative expertise and skill set, I completely agree. I think there can be further skill-building that can be done to foster this idea.

I actually wonder, given the incredible work of BRAC and Grameen whether there have been efforts to target these camps in the past. Does anyone know?

How many ordinary Pakistanis knows about the beharis?
The fact is very few citizens of Pakistan knows about Beharis, Bangladesh war, conflict with India etc.
Now times and tides are changing – Pakistanis are discussing, want answers.
Kalsoom and members of this site is doing great to enlighten us.
One day all this and many more things will be mandatory subjects in secondary school teachings.
Beharis? first time I ever hear about such entity. I really got so sad to know….. 300,000, what a small number compared to 150milion!!! A dark dark chapter in Pakistans history, and everyone must know.
The growing knowledge, friendship and visit/trade among ordinary people in S.Asia is the way to betterness.

Salaam! Kalsoom, first I have to say your articles are fantastic! Its obvious you have a level head on your shoulders.

I was especially interested in the Bangladesh articles. One comment that struck me was that you wear your ‘Pakistani identity on your sleeve’. I was curious as to why you give one side of your heritage far greater importance than the other side? Its obvious from your writings that your mother and her entire family is very proud of their Bengali identity.

Im simply asking out of curiousity as Im Bengali, but my parents grew up in Pakistan. Our family originates from central asia and we have relatives spread across all 3 countries (Pak.Ind.Ban), but we still have a special place for Pakistan in our hearts and always will, that is why I found your writings so interesting. I have bookmarked this blog and will be a regular reader from now.

Thanks for your comment! It’s not really that I give one heritage more prominence than the other, I am proud of both. But growing up I was (and still am) a Pakistani citizen, I spent my formative years in Pakistan, and my job is firmly centered on Pakistan. If I someone was to ask me, I would say I am Pakistani and proud to be. But I always say that my mother is Bangladeshi and I am very proud of my Bengali heritage. Both countries are very dear to me, but my primary identity is Pakistani.

I don’t know if that answers your question, I could write a book on the topic!🙂 Thanks for visiting!

This was such a fascinating piece. I have lived in Pakistan for such a long time yet knew very little about this situation. At the end of your article you said that Pakistanis should be ashamed of what has happened and I def agree with you.

However, shouldn’t Bangladeshis be ashamed as well? These people have been in Bangladesh for FORTY years now and are still living in these overcrowded camps. You yourself have said that the majority would prefer to stay in Bangladesh. Does the govt take responsibility? What is their take on the situation?

You have a very valid point, but many Bangladeshis would disagree with you unfortunately.

Having grown up in Bangladesh, I know their mentality very well. The actions of the Pakistan army have demonized the whole of Pakistan for them, yet even when the Bangladesh army has been guilty of similar crimes in the Chittagong hill tracts against indigenous people, they will refuse to acknowledge their own army’s crimes. They are against Urdu (despite being Muslims) and EVERYTHING Urdu related and yet they are obsessed with Bollywood/Hindi and Indian culture. The country is full of such contradictions.

I feel very bad for the Biharis, they are the true muhajirs of the suncontinent, people without a homeland. Another interesting fact is that Islamic political parties in Bangladesh such as Jamaat-e-Islami have COMPLETELY ignored their plight.

I’m from Pakistan. It pains me alot that my Bihari brothers are there living in such harsh conditions. They gave their lives,future for Pakistan and still they are suffering. Its so difficult for Us,Pakistan to see you people in pain and misery. I don’t know what to do. Our political leadership is corrupt and the situation of my country in worst. Things are too expensive. Terrorist activities and all the stuff. I wish there was some way to bring all of you back. You are true Pakistanis from the core of your hearts. May Allah protect you and brings peace on your nation. Bengalis are racist. They always talk about the steps took by Pak army. What about the Bengalis who massacered thousands of Biharis(True Pakistanis) after the creation of Bengaladesh?
Insh’Allah biharis will prosper. Pakistani citizens are still proud of our Bihari brothers and will always be.